I am creating some memory boxes to donate to the hospital in memory of my son's one year Angelversary.
Has anyone else put together boxes to donate or give to BLM friends? What sort of items did you include? Did you receive one from the hospital or a bereavement group after your loss? What was included in it and what did you appreciate the most?
You can check out my Mikayla's Grace blog http://mikaylasgraceblog.blogspot.com/p/home.html for items we plan to include. A few of also just started a yahoo group that anyone interested in doing memory box projects is welcome to join. You could post the question there too, although we don't have too many members now (we just created it this week).http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AngelNICUcarepackages. If you have any specific questions just email me. =)
ReplyDeleteThe hospital where I had Logan gave us a box made from some elderly volunteers. It was a sweet gesture. They put foot prints, hand prints, photo's, his blanket, a little hand made certificate with his name and stats. He didn't have hair, so they couldn't include that, but I've heard of places doing that. I also got a few pamphlets and a book. What I didn't get, and would have really liked, was a way to connect to others in my shoes. Nor was I told what to expect with my grief, what was "normal". That would have been nice. My box was hand painted with a teddy bear in PJ's. I was horrified by it. It took me a long time to be able to swallow the term "born sleeping" or whatever. But I was glad it didn't have angels on it because though I am a Christian (and don't believe people become Angels) I was so not in a place that I wanted to be told my baby was an angel in heaven. I kept meaning to make boxes. I even bought the boxes to paint or alter. But every time I thought of it I get sick to my stomach, even these days. But I would like to put together a pamphlet about blogging and how to connect with other moms or dads who've had their babies die. These days I try so hard to really focus on what is now and current because sometimes looking back is too heart wrenching, I can't breathe.
ReplyDeleteI'm actually putting together 2 boxes for my daughter's 2nd birthday. So far I have a disposable camera, a small lavender candle, and a small journal.
ReplyDeleteOur hospital didn't provide boxes, but we did get a few things. They put together a "baby book" that had his hand prints, foot prints, lock of hair and birth information. We received a blanket that was donated for babies born sleeping. The hospital took pictures of him wrapped in it, and we got to take it home. I treasure that blanket more than anything because of the pictures I have of him in it.
ReplyDeleteI wish we could have had access to Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, but they don't have anyone in our area.
I have been planning to make baby blankets to donate, since I found such great comfort in mine. It made it even more special to know it was made specifically for a lost baby. A little morbid, I know, but I love it all the same. <3